The Szineís a little long this week, but I had a lot to say. You can read it
slowly. Iíll slack next week and spend my energy eating, drinking, and making
merry. Hope you are 2!

I hear that Christmas Day is pretty uncrowded on the slopes. Probably the only
time in the next few weeks.

***

Jan. 4, Iím off to Barrett Christyís Snowboard and Yoga ReTreat for Women in
Vail, Colorado. She is one of the most winning riders in history, having been named
TW Snowboarding's Female Rider of the Year in 2001, competed in the Nagano Olympics,
won more X-Games medals than any other athlete in the history of the Winter X Games,
and more.

The bottom line on my Camelback hydration backpack is, when itís in the 20ís
with wind, Iíll wear my backpack under my coat to keep it from freezing.
Otherwise, I'm just sucking on ice in the mouthpiece.

I went up to Hunter Mountain, NY right before the blizzard to compete. The
blizzard hit while I was there. This was powder I could understand, a few inches
over a base of hardpack. Smooth slippy stuff, not the thick mashed potatoes I
encountered and fought thru last week.

Riding was much easier. I like to think it's partly because my thighs are getting
stronger since my first sessions last week. I am riding low with my knees deeply
bent.

***

Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge

I competed in the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge at Hunter on Sunday. It's a
slalom race, divided by age category and sex, and entered mostly by skiers. In fact,
ridiculously few snowboarders enter, which gives YOU a better chance of winning.
It's free and a lot of fun.

The first 100 entrants receive shirts, and at the award ceremony a lot of great
prizes are raffled off. Winners get medals. Last year when I entered I had never run
gates before, and I found I liked it and it's opened up a whole new area of riding
to me. And yes, on Sunday I qualified for the finals at Loon NH in March.

Sorry for the short notice. Two-time World Champion and 2002 Olympian Tricia
Byrnes and her buds Olympic Gold Medallists Kelly Clark AND Ross Powers come home to
Stratton Mountain to host a two-day snowboard camp for intermediate and advanced
riders of all ages.

The camp includes two days of fast paced riding and training with tips on getting ready for competition at every level. Plus, there's a party, giveaways and pro autograph session. Camp is $299 including lift tickets.

Can you believe Olympic gold medalist Ross Powers is running a weekend snowboard
camp close to NY City, at Belleayre, in the Catskills January 31 and February 1?

The camp will run for two days; from Sat. January 31 to Sun. February 1, 2004.
It's an all mountain, free-riding and free-style camp. Instruction will take place
in the park and halfpipe as well as on the steeps, bumps and jumps. There will be
four separate sessions over the two days, offering campers the opportunity to work
on a variety of skills or focus on one area. The camp is set up for Beginners to
Expert riders with plenty of opportunities to develop new techniques or hone your
skills.

RadXSports will be there videotaping for the February TV show that airs locally
on Time Warner's Cable 6. You'll have plenty of chances to get your picture taken
with Ross Powers on the mountain, in the lodge and at the parties.

You can register online, through the mail (request the form through email to
info@radxsports.com ) or at Belleayre Mountain. Total tuition is $375 and includes
lift tickets, lunches, parties, gifts and prizes.

Tell them you saw it in the SnowboardSecrets.com Szine. Thanks!

Not sure what to give or get for a holiday gift? This camp would be a SUPER gift!

I tried out my new AZZPADS butt protection at Windham last week. This pad has a
flexible plastic shell over the foam to really protect your tailbone. Tailbone
bruises are a BAD thing. They hurt for a long time and will keep you off the snow.

I donít fall much anymore on the slopes, but it can and does happen. Snow
resorts can be dangerous places. I fall more when Iím not riding lately than when
Iím strapped on. Iíve fallen near a lift line on powder covered ice, and in the
parking lot this season. But of course I was wearing padding on my butt, so no
injuries!

Iím thinking of just wearing padding all winter outside at home too! And you
can bet I'll DEFinitely be rocking my AZZPADS when I start working on rails! Check
them out at

Always perform a proper warm up and cool down, incorporating stretches into that routine.

These excerpts are from an article was written for www.SnowboardSecrets.com by
Jean Sapula, a Level II Snowboard Instructor at Ski Sundown in New Hartford, CT, who
has been teaching snowboarding for eight years and also has the following
qualifications:

Our Snowboard Events Calendar has over 130 events on it now from over 30
mountains, from Maine down to Pennsylvania. TV events too, like the Chevy Truck US
Snowboard Grand Prix Dec. 27. Check for events near you at